His Forgiveness is Complete

What does it mean that God forgives our sins? Do we really understand this in its entirety?

This is going to be a tough one to share because it’s very personal. But, I am hopeful that it will help bring freedom to others who may feel this even from time to time. Your story may be similar or it may be different but the common thread we may share is that many of us deal with unforgiveness toward ourselves and some of us even deep down question if maybe we suffer with things because they are due consequences for our past sins.

Every day I deal with pain and wound care. I have an incurable skin condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa that began in my early 20’s. It is thought to be caused by both genetics and the environment. It affects the apocrine glands and surrounding hair follicles on sensitive areas of the body. Many people are suffering so much by the time they reach stage 3 that they are on disability and potentially going through multiple surgeries. There are no effective treatments or cures at this point. It often drains me, leaves me feeling depressed and ugly. I alternate through different topical things to try and get relief and try to manage my triggers, which for me are processed sugar, stress and hormones. (For others it can be different.) I find support with a Facebook group of others who deal with this condition. I see a dermatologist for cortisone injections when I’m in desperate need of some temporary relief. It’s not fun. I know many others are silent sufferers with things that people can’t see on the outside and I just want you to know, I get you. I’m sorry you are having to go through this. Don’t give up hope.

One thing that I have often wondered in the back of my mind, is that maybe I suffer with this because of my past sins; specifically sexual sins. Not too long ago, I got out of the shower and was trying to put all my potions and bandages on through tears of frustration that led to a flat out pity party right there on the tile floor and I had this thought come across my mind again. I thought, “why me?” Then I thought, “well, I know God’s forgiven me of my past, but this is probably the consequence I have to endure for sleeping around before I was married.” As I finished pulling myself together and got dressed, something else came to mind. Another thought that brought conviction to my previous ones. I believe it was a revelation from the Holy Spirit. I heard the echo of Matthew 9:5 in my spirit which says,

“For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?”

Those words kept echoing in my soul and with it clarity of a deeper understanding. But first, let’s discover a little more from the context of this story.

In this biblical account, Jesus tells a paralyzed man that is brought to him for healing to, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” Some of the teachers of the law heard this and recoiled, accusing Jesus of blasphemy. Only God had the authority to forgive sins, they said, and to them Jesus was just a man. Jesus making his point with the infamous words I shared above, then told the man to get up and walk. The paralyzed man was healed and rose to his feet leaping and dancing before God and all were amazed.

A common view point for the people of that day, including this paralytic man, was that their sin or their parents sin often resulted in physical ailments. But, remember Jesus also said to the disciples in John 9:2 of the man born blind, that there was no correlation of sin to the mans physical impairment. But, God was glorified in healing him from his blindness. The religious teachers of Jesus’ day didn’t have a problem with the healing miracles he performed (unless done on the Sabbath), but the forgiveness of sins was of great reproach. I think today we are a bit opposite. We believe Jesus can forgive us of all sin, but we forget about the miracles He performed and said His disciples would continue to do after He was gone. We forget that God has the power to heal the body as well as the soul and that often they go hand-in-hand. We can rest assured that the power of God and His forgiveness cleanses us completely from our sin and brings restoration to our whole being. Why limit God’s forgiveness?

Essentially I believe what God was saying to me is, “Amy, do you think that my forgiveness is limited, or can you believe that it sets you completely free?”

I found some other scriptures to share and edify our spirits in this area:

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ESV

Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.” ESV

That word “healed” in the Hebrew is Rapha, which means to mend, to cure, heal, physician, repair, thoroughly, and to make whole. If we are 3 part beings then wholeness I believe includes the spirit, soul and body.

1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” ESV

James 5:14-15 says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” ESV

Psalms 103:3-5 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” NIV

After reading the account of the paralytic man and the blind man that were both healed by Jesus, I feel confident that my physical suffering with H.S. is NOT related to my past sins. That was a lie that I was believing that kept me from experiencing the fullness of God’s complete forgiveness. I have been completely forgiven and set free and God was not or is not prolonging this disease to teach me a lesson or as some consequence that I must endure all the days of my life. I don’t know why I have this skin ailment. Our world is broken and sickness, disease and death are a part of it. Sometimes after we have run through the check list of things that could be holding healing back, we just have to trust God and believe that He has our best interest in mind. Just like medicine sometimes takes a long time to work, healing can come in different ways and take longer than we’d like it to manifest, but we shouldn’t give up faith or hope in God that He is our great physician.

I fell on my knees that day friends. Gently convicted by my heavenly Father to remember His goodness. Tears streaming as I received complete healing in my whole being from my past sin that I hung on to the guilt for. I’m still putting on my ointments and bandages, but as I do I am declaring that I am healed and set free! I won’t limit God and if Jesus healed the multitudes, then He can heal me. At least I know my sins are forgiven and are not holding me back in any way. And I hope He stirs that in your hearts too.

I hope this helps someone. I pray that you would know the full magnitude of the forgiveness of God. As we approach Easter in just a few weeks, I think it’s important that we reflect on the price that Jesus paid to set us free. The truth of the gospel will set us free from the bondage of sin. There is healing and redemption in His shed blood and broken body for us on the cross. Healing for our spirits, souls and bodies. Forgive yourself, let go and let His forgiveness wash over you like a refreshing rain.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…” Ephesians 1:7 NIV
xoxo,
Amy